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A.J. and the Spike Drivers - Date unknown Kent Swirtsky.
9 October 2016
All Aboard for Concert to Celebrate Brockville Railway Tunnel


Brockville Ontario - One Saturday morning when performer A.J. Benoit was about three-years-old, he recalls that he and his dad George were walking near the north end of the Brockville Railway Tunnel where the railway engine turnaround was located.
 
A friend of his dad was backing up a freight engine towards the tunnel, so George called over to his friend asking, "Can you give the young fella a ride?"
 
It wasn't long before A.J.'s dad lifted him over his head toward the engineer who reached out the window, pulled in A.J. to sit him on his lap, and proceeded into the tunnel.
 
That was A.J.'s very first train ride.
 
So it's understandable that this historic tunnel has a special meaning to Benoit.
 
To celebrate Canada's first railway tunnel and the opening of Brockville's new Railway Tunnel Park for Canada's 150th birthday in 2017, he has formed another entertainment group, "A.J. and The Spike Drivers".
 
They will perform a free concert at the Brockville Arts Centre on Friday, 4 Nov 2016 from 19:00 to 20:30.
 
Doors open at 6:30.
 
Helping with the restoration funding, A.J. and The Spike Drivers are donating their time and talent for this project.
 
To avoid disappointment, come early as seating is on a first-come, first-serve, basis.
 
"In part, the evening will consist of a short presentation from tunnel committee members outlining the history of the tunnel and the restoration progress," said Benoit.
 
"Broadcaster Bruce Wylie from JR-FM will be the master of ceremonies for the evening, and many dignitaries will be there to make a few remarks."
 
Upon further discussion with Benoit, it was revealed that the railway, the tunnel, and Benoit have a much deeper connection.
 
It was the railroad that brought the Benoit family to Brockville from St. Jean sur Richelieu, Quebec.
 
Benoit's grandfather, Onesime Benoit, transferred to Brockville with the Canadian National Railway in 1930.
 
Onesime worked for the company for 47 years until his retirement, and Benoit's father also worked in the same capacity as his father, a section hand, until retiring.
 
"But that's where the story starts," indicated Benoit.
 
"Like most railroaders, we lived in homes along the railroad tracks, to make it easier to get to work each day. We lived on Louis and then on Wall Street right next to where dad worked."
 
A.J. and The Spike Drivers consists of A.J. Benoit as lead singer playing stand-up bass with long-time friend John Jodoin on guitar and Mike Anderson playing banjo.
 
Both Jodoin and Anderson have appeared in other singing groups and variety shows that A.J. has produced.
 
This pair is recognized as outstanding musicians in the area.
 
As the show beings, Benoit will sing a song he wrote specifically about the tunnel for this event and will close with another song that he wrote more than 25-years-ago.
 
"The rest of the Spike Drivers' repertoire will feature old railroad songs that most everyone are familiar with," shared Benoit.
 
Also featured in the evening performance will be Mary Ross-Comstock, a Brockville and Area Performing Arts Hall of Fame inductee, as is Benoit's other iconic guest Tom Wilson, who is also an Ottawa Valley Country and Western Hall of Fame inductee.
 
"One last story I must tell, and it is something I will never forget," said Benoit.
 
"When I was a little older, around eight or so, my adventurous buddies and I thought it would be an exciting exploration to go through the dark tunnel from one end all the way to the other, which a lot of other local brave boys did. The doors at the south end of the tunnel were partly closed making the tunnel pretty much pitch black, but we trekked through the darkness and as we finally approached the end of the tunnel, there was light. We ran the rest of the way though with great relief, as we didn't think we were ever going to make it. What an exhilarating experience it was, again, another memory I'll never forget! So when asked if I'd be interested in helping out, there was no hesitation whatsoever."
 
This concert is being presented by The City of Brockville Railway Tunnel Committee with generous support from St. Lawrence News, Metroland Media, insidebrockville.com, and other sponsors.
 
A reception with cash bar will follow the show.
 
Doreen Barnes.

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